Yoga Triumphs In Back Care trial

Back pain affects 80% of adults in their lifetime. It’s the top reason for a visit to the GP and costs the UK over £5 billion a year as 4.9 million working days each year are lost due to back ache.

In a recent trail of over 300 back pain suffers, those offered a 12 week yoga course experienced a 30% greater improvement in back function than those offered current remedies. The trial was led by the University of York and funded by Arthritis Research UK.

Half of the test group were given the yoga option; they received a book, CD and 12 weekly yoga classes. The other half followed the typical treatment of painkillers, manipulation and hot/cold packs.

Medical Director of Arthritis Research UK, Professor Alan Silman said: “There are compelling explanations why yoga may be helpful and this trial lends powerful support to the wider use of this approach.”

This term BWY teacher Deborah King will be focusing on the spine in her general yoga classes at Manton and Ryhall. The classes are suitable for beginners and the more experienced – for more information email her at deb@do-yoga.co.uk